Barcelona fans banned for one Champions League game for Nazi-style flag

Barcelona fans banned from Red Star Belgrade trip following UEFA ‘racism and/or other discriminatory conduct’ charge.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 05: A club crest is seen prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at Camp Nou on April 5, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Barcelona lost their opening Champions League match of the season 2-1 against Monaco [David Ramos/Getty Images]

UEFA has banned Barcelona from selling tickets to fans for its next away game in the Champions League for displaying a banner with Nazi overtones about the team’s new German coach.

A black flag with the words “Flick Heil” in apparent tribute to coach Hansi Flick was displayed during a 2-1 loss at Monaco last week.

UEFA said on Friday the club was charged with “racism and/or other discriminatory conduct,” and the disciplinary sanction will apply on November 6 when Barcelona plays at Red Star Belgrade.

The ticket sales ban activated a UEFA-ordered probationary sanction against Barcelona last season. In April, fans made Nazi salutes at Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League game.

UEFA said its disciplinary judges also fined Barcelona $11,000 and ordered a new probationary sanction for a repeat offence in the next year. That will activate another ticket sales ban for one away game in a European competition.

The defeat at Monaco was the only blip in Barcelona’s season with victories recorded in all seven of their Spanish top-flight matches. The Catalan club will travel to Osasuna in their next fixture on Saturday.

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Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies

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